Biology subjects

Beli, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Beli, P..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Phosphorylation of Z granule components regulates germ granule organization and RNAi inheritance

Small RNAs represent important carriers of epigenetic information in nematodes, and factors involved in their biogenesis reside within perinuclear germ granules. Among these condensates, Z granules are essential for the inheritance of RNA interference (RNAi). The mechanisms by which Z granules form and promote this process remain unclear. We show that Casein kinase I alpha (KIN-19) is present in Z granules and associated with DEPS-1 and HERD-1 phosphorylation. In the absence of DEPS-1 and HERD-1 phosphorylation, animals have enlarged Z granules and enhanced RNAi inheritance. We propose that DEPS-1 acts as a phosphorylation-regulated scaffold that bridges ZNFX-1 and HERD-1 proteins. Our study demonstrates that Casein kinase I alpha-mediated phosphorylation is an important factor in germ granule modulation and RNAi inheritance, and additionally provides a novel molecular scaffold for understanding germ granule complexity in C. elegans.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Trans-branching of polyubiquitin chains orchestrates the DNA replication stress response

Polyubiquitin chain geometry dictates functional consequences of ubiquitylation. Although branched polyubiquitin chains are abundant in cells, little is known about their functions. Here we show that branching on the DNA replication factor PCNA, mediated by the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2K and involving lysines 63 and 48 of ubiquitin, orchestrates the sequence of events in response to replication stress. By inducing VCP-dependent extraction of PCNA from chromatin, branching promotes re-priming of stalled forks and necessitates a BRCA1-dependent pathway of daughter-strand gap repair. Our study identifies hyper-accumulation of daughter-strand gaps as the mechanistic basis underlying the toxicity of inhibitors of the PCNA-specific isopeptidase, USP1, in BRCA1-deficient cells. Moreover, an unexpected preference of UBE2K to operate in trans suggests a general timing mechanism to organize hierarchies amongst ubiquitin signals.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

The nuclear actin cytoskeleton supports DNA double-strand break repair via VCP-mediated extraction of the KU70/80 complex from damaged chromatin

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are critical lesions in genomic DNA, and their accurate repair is essential for maintaining genome stability. The nuclear actin cytoskeleton has been implicated in homology-directed repair (HDR) of DSBs. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we report that Myosin VI (Myo6), an actin-based motor protein, cooperates with F-actin in end resection and DSB mobilization. Our findings reveal that Myo6 directly interacts with both KU70 and the ubiquitin-dependent segregase VCP to facilitate the extraction of the KU70/80 complex from chromatin. This process is supported by F-actin, revealing an interplay between nuclear actin dynamics and the DSB repair machinery. By elucidating the function of Myo6 and its direct interactions with key repair factors, our study provides mechanistic insight into how repair mechanisms rely on nuclear actin to safeguard genome integrity.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2026

The phosphoproteomic landscape of the DNA damage response

The DNA damage response (DDR) comprises an intricate network of protein-protein interactions and signaling pathways activated by DNA lesions and genomic instability. Central to this response is protein phosphorylation, which orchestrates DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoint activation, and chromatin organization. The response of the human phosphoproteome to different DNA damage-inducing agents and the functional role of regulated phosphorylation sites remains insufficiently characterized. Here, we systematically profiled the cellular phosphoproteome following exposure to eleven DNA damage-inducing agents that humans encounter physiologically or during cancer therapy. We identified a core set of DNA damage responsive phosphorylation sites, along with DDR signatures associated with DNA double strand breaks, replication stress and a pleiotropic response. Regulated phosphorylation sites are enriched within intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), often forming clusters of nearby modifications that can affect IDR conformations or overlap with short linear interaction motifs. We discover that the RNA damage response predominantly shapes the changes induced by reactive aldehyde formaldehyde, alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate and oxidative stress. Finally, we demonstrate that the proteasome-associated ubiquitin E3 ligase UBE3A is targeted by ATM and ATR kinases, thus linking proteasome regulation with the DDR.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Loss of CTLH component MAEA impairs DNA repair and replication and leads to developmental delay

Ubiquitin E3 ligases play crucial roles in the DNA damage response (DDR) by modulating the turnover, localization, activation, and interactions of DDR and DNA replication proteins. To gain further insight into how the ubiquitin system regulates the DDR, we performed a CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen focused on E3 ligases and related proteins with the DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor, camptothecin. This uncovered the CTLH ubiquitin E3 ligase complex -- and particularly one of its core subunits, MAEA -- as a critical regulator of the cellular response to single-ended DNA double-strand breaks (seDSBs) and replication stress. In tandem, we identified patients with variants in MAEA who present with neurodevelopmental deficits including global developmental delay, dysmorphic facial features, brain abnormalities, intellectual disability, and abnormal movement. Analysis of patient-derived cell lines and mutation modeling reveal an underlying defect in HR-dependent DNA repair and replication fork restart as a likely cause of disease. We propose that MAEA dysfunction hinders DNA repair by reducing the efficiency of RAD51 loading at sites of DNA damage, which compromises genome integrity and cell division during development.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

UFMylation orchestrates chromatin engagement of core NHEJ components to promote DNA double-strand break repair

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are highly cytotoxic lesions whose misrepair can lead to genomic instability, cancer and developmental disorders. Through systematic screening of understudied ubiquitin-like modifiers (UBLs), we identify UFM1 as a previously unrecognised regulator of non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). Using a structure-guided chemical biology strategy, we develop a photo-crosslinkable UFM1 probe and, together with high-resolution NMR, uncover non-canonical UFM1-binding regions in core NHEJ components, including XRCC4. Mechanistically, proximity-dependent proteomics reveals Ku70 as a key UFMylation substrate, establishing a functional axis in which XRCC4 engages UFMylated Ku70 to promote the chromatin assembly of NHEJ factors. Perturbation of UFM1 signalling, via UFSP2 depletion or a hypomorphic UBA5 allele in patient-derived fibroblasts, impairs these processes, linking UFMylation defects to altered regulation of DSB repair. Our findings define a complete UFM1 signalling module in genome maintenance and uncover a molecular connection between hereditary UFMylation disorders and dysregulated DSB repair pathways.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

A network of RS splicing regulatory proteins controls light-dependent splicing and seedling development

The light-induced change from skoto- to photomorphogenesis is a key switch in plant development that requires global transcriptome reprogramming. Earlier studies in Arabidopsis thaliana and other plant species have revealed the eminent role of alternative precursor mRNA splicing (AS), which allows fine-tuning the expression of numerous genes including light signaling and photosynthesis-related components in response to the ambient light conditions. Starting from the previous finding that AS changes induced by either light or metabolic signals are linked to phospho-signaling, we applied phospho-proteomics to identify proteins that undergo rapid changes in their phosphorylation status upon exposing etiolated seedlings to either light or sucrose. This approach revealed hyperphosphorylation of RS41, a member of the RS subfamily of serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins. To study the function of the four RS genes RS31, RS31a, RS40, and RS41, a comprehensive set of single and higher order mutants was generated. A complete loss of RS function in the quadruple mutant caused sterility. Moreover, the important role of the RS proteins in seedling photomorphogenesis was demonstrated, with both redundant and specific functions in the regulation of hypocotyl elongation and cotyledon opening. We further identified the critical contribution of the RS proteins to light-dependent alternative splicing, being part of an intricate network of splicing regulatory components. Our study provides novel insight into the complex network of RNA-binding proteins that allow balancing light-responsive splicing and development in Arabidopsis seedlings.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Allosteric activation of the SPRTN protease by ubiquitin maintains genome stability

The DNA-dependent protease SPRTN maintains genome stability by degrading toxic DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs). To understand how SPRTNs promiscuous protease activity is confined to the cleavage of crosslinked proteins, we reconstitute the repair of DPCs including their modification with SUMO and ubiquitin chains, using recombinant human proteins. We discover that DPC ubiquitylation strongly activates SPRTN independently of SPRTNs known ubiquitin-binding domains. Using protein structure prediction, MD simulations and NMR spectroscopy we reveal that ubiquitin binds to an interface at the back of SPRTNs protease domain, promoting an active conformation. Replacing key interfacial residues prevents ubiquitin-dependent activation of SPRTN, which leads to genomic instability and cell cycle defects in cells expressing hypomorphic SPRTN variants that cause premature aging and liver cancer in Ruijs-Aalfs syndrome patients. Collectively, our results demonstrate that SPRTN activation is coupled to the modification of the crosslinked protein, explaining how specificity is achieved during DPC repair.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2024

Targeted disruption of linkage-specific ubiquitylation reveals a key role of K29-linked ubiquitylation in epigenome integrity

Linkage-specific ubiquitin chains dictate the functional outcome of numerous critical ubiquitin-dependent signaling processes. However, the functions and targets of several poly-ubiquitin topologies remain poorly defined due to a paucity of tools for their specific detection and manipulation. To remedy this knowledge gap, we applied a cell-based ubiquitin replacement strategy enabling targeted conditional abrogation of each of the seven lysine-based ubiquitin chain types in human cells to profile system-wide impacts of disabling formation of individual chain types. Focusing on K29-linked ubiquitylation, we reveal a strong association of this linkage type with chromatin-associated proteins and show that the H3K9me3 methyltransferase SUV39H1 is a prominent cellular target of this modification. We demonstrate that K29-linked ubiquitylation is essential for proteasomal degradation of SUV39H1 despite its extensive modification by K48-linked ubiquitylation, and that K29-linked ubiquitylation of SUV39H1 is catalyzed and reversed by TRIP12 and TRABID, respectively. Preventing K29-linked ubiquitylation-mediated control of SUV39H1 stability deregulates the H3K9me3 landscape, but not other histone marks. Collectively, our ubiquitin replacement cell line panel and datasets provide valuable resources for illuminating cellular functions of linkage-specific ubiquitin chains and establish a key role of K29-linked ubiquitylation in epigenome integrity.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

A trimeric USP11/USP7/TCEAL1 complex stabilizes RNAPII during early transcription to sustain oncogenic gene expression

During early transcription, RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) undergoes a series of structural transitions controlled by cyclin-dependent kinases. Whether protein ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation affect the fate of RNAPII close to promoters is less well understood. Here we show that the deubiquitylating enzyme USP11 and its heterodimeric partner USP7 form a trimeric complex with TCEAL1, a member of the poorly understood TCEAL (TCEA/TFIIS-like) protein family. TCEAL1 shares sequence homology with the RNAPII interaction domain of the TCEA/TFIIS elongation factor, which controls the fate of backtracked RNAPII. TCEAL1 stabilizes complexes of USP11 with USP7 and with RNAPII. TCEAL1 is recruited to core promoters when transcription elongation is blocked and globally enhances the chromatin association of RNAPII during early transcription. Mechanistically, the USP11/USP7/TCEAL1 complex competes with TFIIS for binding to core promoters and protects RPB8, an essential subunit of RNAPII, from degradation, likely preventing excessive TFIIS-mediated transcript cleavage and RNAPII disassembly. In neuroblastoma and other tumors, TCEAL1-dependent genes define a TGF beta-dependent gene expression program that is characteristic for mesenchymal and invasive tumor cell types, suggesting that the USP11/USP7/TCEAL1 trimer stabilizes RNAPII during early transcription to support a critical oncogenic gene expression program (190 words).

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

The dCMP deaminase DCTD and the E3 ligase TOPORS are central mediators of decitabine cytotoxicity

The nucleoside decitabine (5-aza-dC) is used to treat several hematological cancers. Upon triphosphorylation and incorporation into DNA, 5-aza-dC induces covalent DNMT1 DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) and DNA hypomethylation. However, 5-aza-dC treatment success varies, and relapse is common. Using genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 screens, we map factors determining 5-aza-dC susceptibility. Unexpectedly, we find that loss of the dCMP deaminase DCTD causes 5-aza-dC resistance, suggesting that 5-aza-dUMP generation underlies most 5-aza-dC cytotoxicity in wild-type cells. Combining results from a subsequent genetic screen in DCTD-deficient cells with identification of the proximal proteome of DNMT1-DPCs, we uncover the ubiquitin/SUMO1 E3 ligase, TOPORS, as a new DPC repair factor. TOPORS is recruited to DNMT1-DPCs in a SUMO-dependent manner and promotes their degradation. Our study suggests that 5-aza-dC-induced DPCs cause cytotoxicity when DPC repair is compromised, while cytotoxicity in wild-type cells arises from perturbed nucleotide metabolism and lays the foundations for the development of predictive biomarkers for decitabine treatment.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Direct RNA-binding by MYCN mediates feedback from RNA processing to transcription control

The MYCN oncoprotein broadly binds active promoters in a heterodimer with its partner protein MAX. MYCN also interacts with the nuclear exosome, a 3-5 exoribonuclease complex, suggesting a function in RNA metabolism. Here we show that MYCN forms stable high molecular weight complexes with the exosome and multiple RNA-binding proteins. In cells, MYCN binds to thousands of intronic RNAs; recombinant MYCN directly binds RNA via a short, highly conserved sequence termed MYCBoxI. Perturbing exosome function results in global re-localization of MYCN from promoters to intronic RNAs. At promoters, MYCN is then replaced by the MNT(MXD6) repressor protein, which inhibits MYCN-dependent transcription. MYCN promotes the degradation of its bound introns via the nuclear exosome targeting (NEXT) complex. Our data demonstrate that MYCN is an RNA-binding protein that regulates nascent transcript turnover and show that competition between its RNA- and DNA-bound states links the dynamics of the MYCN/MAX/MXD network to mRNA processing.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Function of ERphagy receptors is regulated via phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination pathways

Selective autophagy of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), known as ER-phagy, is an important regulator of ER remodeling and essential to maintain cellular homeostasis during environmental changes. We recently showed that members of the FAM134 family play a critical role during stress-induced ER-phagy. However, the mechanisms on how they are activated remain largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed phosphorylation of FAM134 as a trigger of FAM134-driven ER-phagy upon mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) inhibition. An unbiased screen of kinase inhibitors revealed that CK2 is essential for FAM134B- and FAM134C-driven ER-phagy after mTOR inhibition. Furthermore, we provide evidence that ER-phagy receptors are regulated by ubiquitination events and that treatment with E1 inhibitor suppresses Torin1-induced ER-phagy flux. Using super-resolution microscopy, we show that CK2 activity is essential for the formation of high-density FAM134B and FAM134C clusters. In addition, dense clustering of FAM134B and FAM134C requires phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination of FAM134B and FAM134C. Treatment with the CK2 inhibitor SGC-CK2-1 or mutation of FAM134B and FAM134C phosphosites prevents ubiquitination of FAM134 proteins, formation of high-density clusters, as well as Torin1-induced ER-phagy flux. Therefore, we propose that CK2-dependent phosphorylation of ER-phagy receptors precedes ubiquitin-dependent activation of ER-phagy flux.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Mitotic bookmarking redundancy by nuclear receptors mediates robust post-mitotic reactivation of the pluripotency network.

Mitotic bookmarking transcription factors (TFs) are thought to mediate rapid and accurate post-mitotic gene reactivation. However, the loss of individual bookmarking TFs often leads to the deregulation of only a small proportion of their mitotic targets, raising doubts on the significance and importance of their bookmarking function. Here, we used targeted proteomics of the mitotic bookmarking TF ESRRB, an orphan nuclear receptor, to discover an unexpected redundancy among members of the protein superfamily of nuclear receptors. Focusing on the nuclear receptor NR5A2, which together with ES-RRB is essential for mouse pluripotency, we demonstrate conjoint bookmarking activity of both factors on promoters and enhancers of a large fraction of active genes, particularly the most rapidly and strongly reactivated ones. Upon fast and simultaneous degradation of both factors during mitotic exit, hundreds of mitotic targets of ESRRB/NR5A2, including key players of the pluripotency network, display attenuated transcriptional reactivation. We propose that redundancy in mitotic bookmarking TFs, especially by nuclear receptors, confers robustness to the reestablishment of gene regulatory networks after mitosis.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2022

The CRL4B E3 ligase regulates mitosis by recruiting phospho-specific DCAFs

The cullin-4 paralogs CUL4A and CUL4B assemble E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes regulating multiple chromatin-associated cellular functions. Although they are structurally similar, we found that the unique N-terminal extension of CUL4B is heavily phosphorylated during mitosis, and the phosphorylation pattern is perturbed in the CUL4B-P50L mutation causing X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). Phenotypic characterization and mutational analysis revealed that CUL4B phosphorylation is required for efficient progression through mitosis, controlling spindle positioning and cortical tension. Interestingly, while CUL4B phosphorylation triggers chromatin exclusion, it critically promotes binding to actin regulators and two previously unrecognized, CUL4B-specific DCAFs, LIS1 and WDR1. Indeed, co-immunoprecipitation experiments and biochemical analysis revealed that LIS1 and WDR1 interact with DDB1, but their binding requires the phosphorylated N-terminal domain of CUL4B. Together, our study uncovers previously unrecognized DCAFs relevant for mitosis and brain development that specifically bind CUL4B, but not the CUL4B-P50L patient mutant, by a phosphorylation-dependent mechanism.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Loss of the E3 ubiquitin ligases UBR-5 or HECD-1 restores Caenorhabditis elegans development in the absence of SWI/SNF function

SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermenting (SWI/SNF) complexes are a family of chromatin remodellers that are conserved across eukaryotes. Mutations in subunits of SWI/SNF cause a multitude of different developmental disorders in humans, most of which have no current treatment options. Here we identify an alanine to valine causing mutation in the SWI/SNF subunit snfc-5 (SMARCB1 in humans) that prevents embryonic lethality in C. elegans nematodes harbouring a loss-of-function mutation in the SWI/SNF subunit swsn-1 (SMARCC1/2 in humans). Furthermore, we found that the combination of this specific mutation in snfc-5 and a loss-of-function mutation in either of the E3 ubiquitin ligases ubr-5 (UBR5 in humans) or hecd-1 (HECTD1 in humans) can restore development to adulthood in swsn-1 loss-of-function mutants that otherwise die as embryos. Using these mutant models, we established a set of 335 genes that are dysregulated in SWI/SNF mutants that arrest their development embryonically but exhibit near wild-type levels of expression in the presence of suppressor mutations that prevent embryonic lethality, suggesting that SWI/SNF promotes development by regulating this specific subset of genes. In addition, we show that SWI/SNF protein levels are reduced in swsn-1; snfc-5 double mutants and partly restored to wild-type levels in swsn-1; snfc-5; ubr-5 triple mutants, consistent with a model in which UBR-5 regulates SWI/SNF levels by tagging the complex for proteasomal degradation. Our findings establish a link between two E3 ubiquitin ligases and SWI/SNF function and suggest that UBR5 and HECTD1 might be viable therapeutic targets for the many developmental disorders caused by missense mutations in SWI/SNF subunits.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Nuclear myosin VI maintains replication fork stability

The actin cytoskeleton is of fundamental importance for cellular structure and plasticity. However, abundance and function of filamentous (F-) actin in the nucleus are still controversial. Here we show that the actin-based molecular motor myosin VI contributes to the stabilization of stalled or reversed replication forks. In response to DNA replication stress, myosin VI associates with stalled replication intermediates and cooperates with the AAA ATPase WRNIP1 in protecting these structures from DNA2- mediated nucleolytic attack. Using nuclear localization sequence (NLS) and ubiquitin E3-fusion DARPins to manipulate myosin VI levels in a compartment-specific manner, we provide evidence for the direct involvement of myosin VI in the nucleus and against a contribution of the abundant cytoplasmic pool during the replication stress response.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Genetic requirements for repair of lesions caused by single genomic ribonucleotides in S phase

Single ribonucleoside monophosphates (rNMPs) are transiently present in eukaryotic genomes. The RNase H2-dependent ribonucleotide excision repair (RER) pathway ensures error-free genomic rNMP removal. In pathological conditions, genomic rNMP levels can rise and persist. If these rNMPs hydrolyse in, or prior to, S phase, toxic single-ended double-strand breaks (seDSBs) can occur upon an encounter with replication forks. How such rNMP-derived seDSB lesions are repaired is unclear. We employed a cell cycle phase restricted allele of RNase H2 as a genetic tool to induce nicks at rNMPs specifically in S phase to generate such lesions and study their repair. Here, we introduce a network of genes that maintain DNA integrity when rNMP-derived nick lesions arise during DNA replication. We use genetic methods to characterise the molecular requirements of a Top1-independent, rNMP-derived nick lesion repair (NLR). In NLR, the RAD52 epistasis group becomes essential for homology-directed repair (HDR). Moreover, the previously described Rtt101Mms1-Mms22 dependent ubiquitylation of histone H3 is essential for NLR in cells with high rNMP load, and loss of Rtt101Mms1-Mms22 combined with RNase H2 dysfunction leads to compromised cellular fitness. We discuss the genetic NLR network in the context of human disease, where cancer therapies may be able to exploit these synthetic lethalities.

genetics↗